Sex Addiction

Some say that sex addicts are having a lot of sex, but in reality that does not mean they are enjoying themselves or intimacy is achieved.

Sex is a type of coping mechanism for a sex addict instead of a way to connect with a love one or partner. Compulsive sexual behavior often times is called hyper-sexuality, hyper-sexual disorder, nymphomania or sexual addiction. This comes with strong sexual thoughts, feelings or behaviors that affects a sex addicts health, job, relationships or other parts of your life.

As an example, not all sex addicts are visiting prostitutes or having affairs; some of the behaviors may involve

Pornography

Masturbation

Sexual Behavior With Consenting Adults

Cybersex

Telephone Sex

Strip Clubs

Swinger clubs

VoyeurismVoyeurism

The difference between an addiction to sex and a healthy sex drive is when the person continues to act out in spite of negative consequences.

While compulsive sexual addiction is not yet fully acknowledged as a legitimate mental health disorder in the clinical literature sexual addiction and hyper-sexual disorder nevertheless is becoming identified in the public consciousness as a legitimate neuro-psychobiological disorder.

Symptoms:
Over a period of months, a person experiences recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, sexual urges, and increase sexual behavior in association with four or more of the following five criteria:

Excessive time is consumed by sexual fantasies and urges, and by planning for and engaging in sexual behavior.

Repetitively engaging in these sexual fantasies, urges, and behavior in response to dysphonic mood states such as anxiety, depression, boredom, and irritability.

Repetitively engaging in sexual fantasies, urges, and behavior in response to stressful life events.

Repetitive but unsuccessful efforts to control or significantly reduce these sexual fantasies, urges, and behavior.

Repetitively engaging in sexual behavior while disregarding the risk for physical or emotional harm to self or others. Untreated compulsive sexual addiction behavior can damage one’s self-esteem; relationships with love ones, career and hurt other people. But with treatment and self-help groups and support, a sex addict can manage compulsive sexual behavior and keep your urges in check.